Hand Grip Strength Predicts Heart Risk

Do you really want to know if you’re a candidate for a heart attack? Researchers at McMaster University suggest periodically testing your hand-grip strength, keeping an eye out for any significant dip. HealthDay reports that the researchers tested the hand-grip strength of 140,000 people between the ages of 35 and 70, then followed up with more tests and a general health assessment for an average of four years. The envelope please….The researchers found that every 11-pound decrease in grip strength was associated with a 16 percent increased risk of death from any cause. Wait, there’s more: Each decrease was also tied to a 17 percent raised risk of heart-related death or death from non-heart causes. And, every 11-pound drop in grip strength was also associated with a 9 percent increased risk of stroke and a 7 percent higher risk of heart attack.